From CEO to Career Guru Unleashing the Ultimate Advice after 16 Years at the Top!
Lessons from 16 Years as a CEO The Best Career Advice I Can Offer
- Work is different from school: You don’t just keep getting promoted as you get older.
- So take control!
- Be the CEO of your career.
| If you remember only one piece of career advice, I would suggest it be this: Be the CEO of your career. |
| What does that mean? It means: |
| – Take responsibility for the direction and progress of your career — for where you are, what you are doing, and where you are headed. |
| When people enter the workforce, they often imagine that their job and career success and satisfaction is someone else’s responsibility — their company’s, for example, or their boss’s. They imagine that, if they do well, their company or boss will reward them with a promotion. And they imagine that if they continue to do well, they will keep getting promoted — and that this will make them happy and satisfied and enable the life and lifestyle they want. |
| In other words, people often imagine that progress at work will be like progress at school: If they pass their exams at one level, they will get advanced to the next, and they will get the rewards that go along with that — the sense of achievement and status and the approval of teachers, parents, and peers. |
| But let me burst your bubble. Work is nothing like school. It’s a whole different ballgame, my friend. Sure, in some fields like law, banking, consulting, and medicine, there may be a structured progression at the start, with increasing pay and responsibilities. But even in these fields, the school-like progression eventually ends, and the responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders. Life has a way of shaking things up and tossing your career plans out the window. Unexpected career detours and changes are as common as finding a new flavor of ice cream at the grocery store. |
| Sooner or later, you’ll find yourself making career decisions again. You’ll be responsible for creating the career and life you want. Most organizations don’t hold your hand and guide you along the path to success—you are responsible from day one. In fact, even if you don’t want to be the CEO of your career, guess what? You already are! |
| But here’s the good news! As the CEO of your career, you have the power to shape your destiny, increase your satisfaction, and build the life and career you desire. You’re the one calling the shots. You get to decide what you do, where you live, when and how you work, and how much you make. It’s like being the master chef in your own career kitchen, whipping up a delicious dish of success and fulfillment. |
| As the CEO of your career, you’ll also be empowered to solve problems that often trip up others who rely on their bosses or employers to determine their career paths. You have the authority to negotiate with your boss, manage their quirks and demands with finesse, and even, if things don’t work out, fire your boss—yes, I said it—fire your boss. You can request an internal transfer or seek employment with a different organization that aligns better with your goals. |
| So, welcome to the C-suite! Embrace your role as the CEO of your career, and unleash your potential to create a prosperous and fulfilling professional journey. Remember, in this game of careers, you’re the captain of the ship, and the sea is open for exploration. Happy sailing! |
Interact with me! Have you taken control of your career? Share your experience in the comments below. And if you have any questions or need some CEO-level advice, feel free to ask! I’m here to help you navigate the exciting world of careers.
